Some careers sound like they are out of this world.

But does the salary match the job title?

Aerospace engineer jobs are highly sought after, and for good reason! They offer an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a career in science where they feel as though they are making a difference.

However, while the desire for aeronautical engineering jobs is well-known, what is less well-known is the average aerospace engineer salary in the UK.

Here, we will break down what aerospace precision engineering entails and what the average total compensation is across the country and the world.

 

What is an Aerospace Engineer?

An aerospace engineer is in charge of reviewing the design of aerospace equipment created by a manufacturing engineer.

It is their job to ensure that products adhere to the required engineering principles to ensure there are no issues at the time of launch.

As a result, most of their role consists of creating and testing prototypes to gain a true understanding of whether they are effective or not.

Commonly, they test spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and aircraft.

Due to this, working as an aerospace engineer is a highly attractive career, as the work they do is not only fun and exciting but can also have a major impact on a company, an industry, and even society.

 

The Average Aerospace Engineer Salary in the UK

According to Glassdoor Jobs, an aerospace engineer can expect to earn around £52,000 a year, depending on the aerospace company. A senior engineer can expect to earn a little more, while less experienced engineers will earn less than that figure.

The average UK salary across every industry is estimated to be anywhere between £30,000 to £35,000, whereas the average aerospace engineer salary is much higher, sitting at £52,000 a year.

The highest salary you can expect to earn as an aerospace engineer in the UK is around £92,000, but that depends on the employer and the experience level of the employee.

 

How Much Do Aerospace Engineering Jobs Pay Around the World?

 

In America

According to College Reality Check, becoming an aerospace engineer is a much more lucrative job overseas.

They estimate that the median annual salary for an aerospace engineer in the US is around $120,000.

That average will be increased due to high-paying roles at NASA, but it is still significantly higher than the average salary in the UK, even after the currency conversion.

 

In Canada

According to talent.com, the average salary for an aerospace engineer in Canada is $123,000 CAD. When converted, that’s around £77,000, £25,000 more than the average in the UK.

This study is based on over 130 aerospace engineer salaries and estimates that entry-level employees earn around $90,000 CAD, while the most experienced employees make around $160,000 CAD.

 

In Australia

Using talent.com once more, it is estimated that the average salary of an aerospace engineer in Australia earns around $93,000 a year. After conversion, that’s about £50,000 a year, very similar to the average salary in the UK.

However, this figure is only based on ten salaries, so the average may differ slightly.

Seek.com estimates that you can earn anywhere from $110,000 to $130,000 per year, but they don’t reference where those statistics come from.

Jobted.com also estimates that the average salary for an Aerospace Engineer is$83,800, which is 20% more than the national average salary in Australia.

As a result, it is difficult to gauge what the entry salary would be for an inexperienced aerospace engineer or how much you could potentially earn as a senior in the field.

 

Common Careers to Move Into Aerospace Engineering From

Here are some of the easiest careers to transition into aerospace engineering from:

 

How to Get into the Aerospace Industry

 

Identify what companies are looking for

First and foremost, you need to identify the key traits and skills that employers in the aerospace industry are searching for.

By doing this, you can craft your CV and experience in a way that suits what they are looking for and offers the answers they are looking for at the top of the page.

If you are changing careers and you don’t alter your CV to accommodate the change, employers may feel overwhelmed with skills and experience that aren’t relevant to the role, making you a less attractive prospect on paper.

To do this, collate a list of 5-10 job descriptions from popular job websites, and try to make a note of what each one has in common.

Once you have established at least five matching requirements, try to rework your CV to identify these aspects of your CV as early on as possible.

 

Volunteer where possible

If there are gaps in your CV that need filling to attract the eye of aerospace companies, there’s one quick way to fix that by volunteering.

Companies are always willing to listen to opportunities to capitalise on free labour, and in return, you will be able to show potential employers that you are a good fit for the role.

On top of that, you will show potential employees just how passionate you are about the job by volunteering your free time to become more employable.

 

Retrain

Aerospace engineering often requires very specific qualifications, which is why the pay is lucrative. If you don’t have them, that doesn’t mean you can’t attain them.

Speak to an expert (such as ourselves) and establish where you may currently be lacking in skills, and search for viable ways to get the necessary qualifications, whether it is specialist training, a new degree, industry certification, or a master’s degree.

 

Take a temporary pay cut

If you are truly passionate about moving into the aerospace industry, you may need to drop a level or two on the career ladder to get started.

However, once companies see the transferable skills that you bring to the table from your previous career experience, you will rise through the ranks rapidly and quickly get to where you belong.

 

Final Thoughts on Aerospace Engineer Salaries in the United Kingdom

As you can see, although you could possibly earn more working as an aerospace engineer abroad, there are still plenty of opportunities to earn a great salary and work in a fun and exciting industry.

If you’re interested in transitioning your career to becoming an aerospace engineer, or you feel you are getting undervalued in your current position, contact Cartisian today. We will help you identify the steps you need to take to find your dream career and help you along the way.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering

 

How much do aerospace engineers get paid in the UK?

According to Glassdoor Jobs, an aerospace engineer can expect to earn around £52,000 a year, depending on the aerospace company. A senior engineer can expect to earn a little more, while less experienced engineers will earn less than that figure.

 

Do aerospace engineers make good money in the UK?

The average UK salary across every industry is estimated to be anywhere between £30,000 to £35,000, whereas the average aerospace engineer salary is much higher, sitting at £52,000 a year.

 

What is the highest salary for an aerospace engineer in the UK?

The highest salary you can expect to earn as an aerospace engineer in the UK is around £92,000, but that depends on the employer and the experience level of the employee.